Rangers legend Derek Johnstone admits there is a ‘massive’ Old Firm gap

Rangers legend Derek Johnstone insists there is a massive gap between his old club and Celtic, despite Mark Warburton saying otherwise.

Former striker Johnstone watched the Ibrox outfit being ripped apart in Saturdays’ 5-1 Old Firm mauling at Celtic Park and admits their defensive frailties are a concern.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton, who had defender Phillippe Senderos sent off on his debut at 3-1, claimed after the match that there is ‘no major gulf’, but Johnstone disagrees.

(Pic: Sky Sports)

He said: “Looking at it on Saturday, there’s a massive gap. Rangers proved early on that they could match Celtic without having any real penetration.

“Then something goes in their mind, they make mistakes and they’re punished for it.

“They’re going to have to eradicate all these mistakes, they’re going to have to work really hard.”

Speaking to Sky Sports, he added: “It’s not good for the manager but what he has to do is work hard, the players he’s got now are the ones he has to work with because he can’t do anything until January.

“They’re just going to have to work a lot harder. Certainly, on the defensive side of their game, they’re going to have to work a lot harder.”